Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-06-23

Instead of sitting under the trees to
knit, Amy wandered along the path,
sOothed and comforted by the delicious
air, the freshness of the growing green
! things and the songs of the birds, who
| were building nests with all the zest
of young housekeepers.
There were wild violets growing un-
| der the trees, and they beguiled her
from the path, and she pushed farther
and farther into the depths of the
woods. the deep solitude answering al
most like companionship her own
| mood, and. without its sorrow, too,
gently consOling.
Wandering far in the painless place.
she at last struck a wood-road' again.
and, after resting for few moments
beside merry little brook that touched
the path, and then turned and darted
| off into the green maze, she began, as
| she thought, to retrace her steps, but,
having followed this road at long dis
lance, until she was faint with fatigue.
she came to q sudden halt, with the en-
clamation:
81 have Lost my way!'
She leaned against one of the old
trees, and tried to reason in what di-
rection she should go; but unaccus-
toned to woOd-signs she could not de-
termine. Tho sun slant was no guide
to east or west, for it was now high
noon. just when, in her weakness,
she was about to give way to too ready
tears, the sound Ct horses hoOfs broke
upon her ear, and presently there ap-
peared under Tie leafy arch horse
man riding at easy pace, humming to
himself a merry tune. He stopped
when he came near, arrested by some
appealing movement on her part, and
looked down inquiringly upon her
anxious face.
''Can You tell me the way to the Hill
farm?" she asked. Il have not the
least idea where am"
1.-The Hill-farm." he answered. ''lies
some four miles back on the other road.
You will have to strike that, through
the woods. But stay! you look very
tired. l am on my way to NJ. but
far away now. must 90 there first;
but if you don't mind riding over with
me. I'll take you to Hill farm on
horseback. You had better let me
take you; it is long walk, and diff
cult to cross the woods, if you are a
stranger"
Il am a stranger" said Amy. cal
though l have lived all winter by the
naples, l have never been in these
woods before; and am no forester.
She looked, with an expression of
scrutiny. into the face of the rider. He
was youth of pleasant, frank coun-
tenanc.. who naturally inspired trust
and confidence.
II am Howard Glenn" he said, an
swering her look of inquiry. Il live
with my mother at NJ. She is ex-
pecting me now, or l would offer to
take you home first. Perhaps you will
stop and rest ut our house. l should
like to have you see my mother. She is
the most comforting woman in the
whole world"
The most comforting? Did he. then.
at glance, read her forlornness?
IL will go with YOU" she said. "You
are kind. And am very tired"
Amy could hardly have fancied how
restful would be the ride through the
woods - borne along exultahtly
through the air. instead of toiling on
foot. Her companion spoke but sell
dom; she still less. They cantered
along rapidly. and ut the very edge of
the forest came upon a richly-turfed
opening. that commanded in view the
circuit of many delightful miles.
Here we are. said Howard, as they
stopped at gate within few steps
of porch covered with climbing
roses. just beginning to show the pink
of their blossoms; and this porch was
the entrance of large, rambling. old
fashioned house, with its gables and
quaint windows overgrown with vines.
wherever they could climb.
DclOEe AMY ltu eIIhc 10 tElnk. I'LL
elderly lady, with face like Towards
only more sympathetic, one would
say-had received. us her guest. ..Mies
Leigh. of Hill-tarm." and led her into
one of those sort of rooms that roses.
growing outside. might look into with
out losing their bloom. the interior was
at once SO sunny, and cheerful. and
fresh.
Howard said: If You will stay
with my mother for few moments,
Miss Leigh. l will be ready for Hill
farm" He added: II have a little
more packing to do. mother. l
brought over few things for Frank.
Then am off
My son." explained Mrs. Glenn.
"is going canoeing for fortnight,
with friend. l supposed you OBJ
served his Knickerbocker costume;
that is but one phase of the canoeing
rig. have been putting up a hamper
for the first day of the journey; after
that, they will fare as it haps. But,